Burnham-On-Sea MP Ashley Fox has visited Burnham-On-Sea Haven Holiday Village to meet staff, tour the site and hear first‑hand the concerns being raised locally about the Government’s proposed ‘holiday tax’.
He was joined by Highbridge & Burnham South councillor Alistair Hendry and met with General Manager Daniel Tescu and members of the team.
The MP heard that Burnham-On-Sea Haven Holiday Village employs more than 300 people and welcomed over 100,000 visitors in 2025, providing a major boost to pubs, restaurants and shops across the town.
The visit followed a letter from Haven outlining serious concerns about the impact a new levy on overnight stays could have on tourism, local jobs and family holidays.
The Government is considering giving local authorities the power to introduce a charge on holiday accommodation, either as a flat fee per person per night or as a percentage added to the cost of a stay. Industry groups have warned that even a modest charge could make UK breaks more expensive for families and risk reducing visitor numbers in coastal areas.
Speaking after the visit, Ashley Fox MP said it was clear how important the holiday village is to Burnham-On-Sea’s economy, both as a major employer and as a driver of tourism.
He said many families were already watching their budgets closely and that local attractions such as Burnham-On-Sea, Berrow and Brean should be encouraging more visitors, not facing policies that could push holidaymakers abroad.
Ashley Fox added that he would continue raising the issue with ministers and press for measures that protect Somerset’s tourism industry. He said Burnham-On-Sea has much to offer and that he wants to see more people visiting the area and supporting local businesses along the coast.
